Marion henry Bowers (1829-1872), Austin attorney and member of the Texas Legislature and the State Senate, son of Henry J. Bowers, was born april29, 1829, at Moore's Hill, Indiana. In 1851 Bowers obtained a law degree from teh State University at Blomington, Indiana. After practicing law in Indiana for a short imte, Bowers came to Burnet (then called Hamilton), Texas, in march 1853 with $4.25 in his pocket and no prospects. He Organized a school which he taught briefly before developing a law practice in Burnet and the vicinity. Narrowly defeated in an election for District Judge in the fall of 1856, by February of 1857, Bowers claimed not to be political althoughhe usually voted with the Democratic Party.
By November 15, 1856, bowers was in Austin practicing law where he was at different times in partnership with J.J. Dennis and Alexander Stewart Walker. During the summer after his move to Austin, Bowers had a severe attack of what he called hemorrhage of the lungs, the disease which would eventually kill him. After his marriage in Indiana to mary M. Batterton (16 September 1858), Bowers considered moving to Cincinnatti to set up a law practice but found he could not leave his new home in Texas.
On January 20, 1862, Bowers enlisted in the confederate service. he served with the Travis County Infantry in Flournoy's Regiment where he bore the rank of Captain. Following his military service, Bowers was elected to the 10th Texas Legislature of 1863-1864. In 1869 he was elected to the Texas Senate where he served until his death in 1872. During the troubled days of reconstruction following the Civil War, Bowers delivered a speech in the Senate which opposed the right of the Governor to declare martial law. That speech was said to be one of the factors which resulted in the overthrow of the radical regime in Texas.
A devout Baptist and a member of the Masonic Order, Bowers died on march 3, 1872, at his home in Austin of consumption after having suffered from the disease for much of his life. He was survived by a widow and four daughters, a son having preceded him in death.

Scope and Content Note

This collection consists of seven volumes of letterbooks of blotter copies containing legal correspondence to individuals, sheriffs, county clerks, and judges; and personal correspondence to friends and family. There are also letters to magazines and newspapers concerning subscriptions and advertising. One volume contains petitions, deeds, and briefs used in courts, including the Supreme Court of Texas. The correspondence describes conditions in Texas before, during, and after the Civil War, including the Cortina War of 1859. Most of the letterbooks are indexed by addressee and the volume of petitions by the main person involved in the case.

This item may be protected under Title 17 of the U.S. Copyright Law. It is available for non-commercial research and education. For permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the East Texas Research Center at asketrc@sfasu.edu.

This item may be protected under Title 17 of the U.S. Copyright Law. It is available for non-commercial research and education. For permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the East Texas Research Center at asketrc@sfasu.edu.